Core-supplying means for winding machines



June 17, 1952 1 MQLLQY 2,600,793

CORE-SUPPLYiNG MEANS FOR WINDING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 17, 1946' June 17, 1952 J, o o 2,600,793

CORE*SUFPLYING MEANS FOR WINDING MACHINES Filed June 17, 1946 7 Sheets-Shet 2 June 17, 1952 J. A. MOLLOY 2,600,793

CORE-SUPPLYING MEANS FOR WINDING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 17, 1946 l 2? H 164 I l ll l 1 1W 1% 475 152 1 l ya June 17,, 1952 J. A. MOLLOY 2,600,793

CORE-SUPPLYING MEANS FOR WINDING- MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 1'7, 1946 Z 2445 J96 25 H 20 June 17, 1952 J. A. MOLLOY comsuwuzmc MEANS FOR WINDING'MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet .5

Filed June 1'7, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 June 17,1952. J. A. MOLLOY 'CORE-SUPPLYING MEANS FOR WINDING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 1'7, 1946 ooooooooo Patented June 17, 1952 UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE CORE-SUPPLYING MEANS FOR WINDING MACHINES Application June 17, 1946, Serial No. 677,186

32 Claims. 1

This invention relates to winding machines and particularly to means for supplying bare cores such as wooden bobbins or the like to the magazines of a plurality of automatic winding units arranged in multiple or gang form.

As herein shown and described the core-delivering means is adapted for replenishing the supply of cores or bobbins in the magazine of an automatic winding machine operating to continuously produce wound bobbins for the shuttles of looms. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be used for supplying other types of cores to winding machines for producing different types of wound packages. The term wound bobbin as hereinafter used is therefore intended to include any conventional type of package or wound mass of yarn and the term yarn is intended to indicate all kinds of strand materials, either textile or otherwise.

One object of the present invention is to provide automatically-operated core-supplying means comprising a bin or hopper for containing a large number of bare cores indiscriminately or randomly disposed therein with means for feeding the cores from the hopper to a conveyor and distributing them to the magazines of a plurality of winding units when the supply therein is depleted. I

Another object is to provide means at the hopper for selectively feeding the cores to the conveying means as required by the discharge therefrom of any of the cores into the magazines of the windin units.

Another object is to provide means cooperating with the individual magazines for indicating depletion of the supply of cores therein and replenishing the supply by delivery of fresh cores there- Another object is to provide a traveling conveyor-belt or -chain having pockets for receiving the cores and means for filling the pockets from the supply in the hopper as the pockets become vacant due to the delivery of their cores to the magazines.

Another object is to provide means normally restrained from action when the magazines of the winding units contain a sufficient supply of cores and operative upon depletion of the supply to actuate the means for delivering fresh cores thereto.

A principal object of the invention is to render the core-supplying and -delivering means entirely automatic, thereby eliminating all manual operations except to dump the cores into the hopper.

Further objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the apparatus, including modifications in certain of its details, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view showing a portion of a series of winding units mounted on a bed or frame, broken away at the center, and illustrating the present improved core-supplying means as applied to use therewith;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end elevation of the same, part-sectional on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the essential elements of a single winding unit and a portion of the core-supplying means for cooperation therewith;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the machine shown partly in section with the depletion-indicating lever or detector for the magazine in released position for delivering a fresh bobbin to the magazine;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detailed View of the same showing the parts in diiferent position;

Fig. 5 is a partial plan view of the conveyorchain and the core-delivering means;

Fig. 6 is a detailed fragmentary view of the same showing the parts in different position;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the delivering means shown in different position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detailed view of the same;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of one of the socketed bobbin-holders on the conveyor-chain;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating a modified form of the core-delivering means;

Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive, are views similar to Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive, showing the relationship of the parts of the core-delivering means in the modified form illustrated in Fig. 10;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the detentmeans for relaying the action of the core-delivering means until one core has passed thereby;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the forward end of the coreor bobbin-supply hopper showing the selector-mechanism for feeding cores to the empty pockets of the conveyor-chain;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged plan view of the selectormechanism shown with its parts in inactive relationship;

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged plan view similar to Fig. 18 showing the parts of the selector-mechanism operative to insert an empty core into one of the pockets of the conveyor-chain; and

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary plan view of the same 3 showing the parts in the same relation as that illustrated in Fig. 20.

Recent developments in the textile field have for their object to render the machines employed therein highly automatic in operation and in the winding art the production of wound bobbins, cops, and various forms of packages has been rendered partly automatic by providing magazines for the empty cores, means for transferring the cores therefrom and donning them on the winding spindles, dofiing the wound packages from the machine; and, in most instances, providing a continuous supply of yarn for delivery to the winding packages. Such a type of automatic machine is shown and described in United States Letters Patent No. 2,302,715, dated November 24, 1942, wherein the cores or wooden bobbins are placed in a magazine at each winding unit and transferred individually to, and donned. on, the winding spindles upon dofiing of thewound bobbins therefrom. Figs. 1 and 2 of the present drawings illustrate a machine of this typetwherein a plurality of tapered cores or bobbins b," of wood,. paper or other suitable material, are contained in a magazine 2 and transferred therefrom as required to the winding spindle 3..upon the completion and dofiing of .each Wound bobbin or package. The winding spindle 3 is journaled in bearingsin a frame or casing 4 .containing the gearing and other parts of.the. driving mechanism of the machine unit. The magazine 2 may comprise two slotted uprights 5 and 6 supported in opposed relationship at the front of the winding unit with the part.5 adapted to hold the enlarged end or head h of the core I); the cores being delivered from the bottom of the magazine by suitable transfer means shown, and described in the patent. referred to above but not herein illustrated in detail. The cores or bobbins b are held between a driver I at the end of thespindle 3 and the cupped end of an outboard stub-spindle 8; one or the other of these holding means being retractible when the winding is completed to .doff the wound bobbin for discharging it from the machinexmAs each wound package is doffed from theiwinding spindle a fresh core or bobbin b is fed'fromthemagazine 2 and transferred intoposition to be gripped between the rotary elements 1 and 8, all as explained more fully in: the patent referred to' above.

Duringthe winding of the bobbins in the machine; yarn is'supplied thereto from relatively large; packages such asjthe cones C. and C", illustrated in- Figs. 1 and 2. the yarn strand delivering-"from theforward cone C through a tension device, indicated, generally at T,. and thence feeding down to a--traversing threadguide, notherein shown, *which distributes it on the-core bincrossing coils which build up the wound-bobbin shown at B inFig. 2 as partly completed; The yarn supplies or cones C, C .arerffmagazined. on a. creel with. the trailing end of the firstdelivering package C .united to the leading end of the reserve package C so that uponexhaustion of the yarn in the first supply Gthe strand willdeliver from-the reserve supply C. By this arrangement a. large amount of yarn is provided. for continuous delivery to wind the relatively small bobins. or packages'B' at each spindle and the operator is allowed plentyof timejto tie in new cones or packages upon the exhaustion of any of them without interrupting the winding operation. -However,'since the-winding packages or bobbins B hold a relatively small amount of yarn, the empty cores or bare bobbins b must be furnished to the high-speed winding spindles at very frequent intervals and this requires continuous replenishment of the magazines 2. That is to say, the magazines are necessarily limited as to the number of cores or bobbins which can be contained therein and therefore a considerable expenditure of time and effort is required of the operator to maintain the magazines filled at all of the units of a multi-spindle machine.

The present invention provides automaticallyoperated means for maintaining the continuous delivery of cores or empty bobbins to the magazines of a multi-spindle machine comprising a large number of units as the supply of cores becomes depleted in the magazines. In general, the present apparatus comprises a hopper or bin for holding a large supply of cores, usually several hundred in number; means for feeding the cores from the hopper in a-procession; a conveyor for traveling the cores to their destination at the several winding units; means for discharging the cores from the conveyor and delivering them into the magazines as the supplies of cores therein become depleted; and means for selectively feeding new cores from the hopper to the conveyor as the first-conveyed cores are discharged therefrom.

The yarn-supply cones C, C are mounted on holders comprising disks I0 supported from a skeleton framework forming the creel. As shown more particularly in Fig. 2, the creel framework may consist of a series of inverted U-shaped brackets H resting on the sides of the box-like casings 4 of certain of the units. Rising from the U-shaped brackets II are a series of inclined arms l2 forming part of the support for V-shaped bent rods l3, the opposite vertical ends of which are held in the brackets. The magazines 2 for the cores or empty bobbins b may also be supported from the brackets II, these connections not being herein shown in detail as they are illustrated in the patent referred to above. The rods or stanchions l3 also form the support for a series of horizontal crossarms 14 in the, formof angle-irons which carry a pair of tracks |-5,for the conveyor-chain 20. The tracks I5 are of hollow construction with circular runways at top and bottom-and extend horizontally in straight stretches along opposite sides of the gang machine. The traveling conveyor may be in the form of a belt or a chain 20 of any usual construction comprising pivoted links 2| as'shown in Figs. 18 and 20 with rollers 22 and 23'which ride in the curved runways of the tracks I5; The lower roller 22 rides in the bottom runway of the hollow track Hi to take the weight of the chain 20 and the upper roller 23' travels along the sides of the runway of the track to prevent-lateral motion of the'chain; The chain 20 engages with the teeth of four sprockets 24 and 25, see Figs. 1 and'20, supported at the four corners of thepframework which surmounts the gang machine, the sprocket being shown in Fig. 1 as journale'd in a bearing 26 on a-bracket 28 fastened to the top of a vertical rod or stanchion 29'supported from the bed of the'machine. At the-opposite endof the machine bed is a-similar stanchion 30 supporting a bracket 3| carrying a bearing 32 for the sprocket' 25; these supports and sprockets being duplicated at the back of the machine. The sprocket 24 is driven from a shaft 33 carrying a bevel-gear 34 at;itslower-endin mesh with 'abevel gea'ri 35 fast on a horizontal shaft 36 journaled in'a bearing 31. Fast on the outer end of the shaft 36 is a pulley 38 connected by a belt 39 to a pulley 40 which is driven from an electric motor 4| through gearing in a box 42. The gear-box 42 and motor 4| are mounted at the top of a casing 44 which forms the head of the gang machine and contains the main driving mechanism for the whole series of winding units. Through these connections the conveyor-chain 20 is driven continuously in contraclockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 18 and 20 to carry the cores or bobbins b in a straight path along one side of the gang machine above the magazines 2 for the individual spindles; thereafter reversing its course at the rearward side of the machine and then traveling across the delivery end of the hopper, designated generally at H in Fig. 17, where it is supplied with the empty cores for delivery to the various magazines.

As shown in Figs. 3, l8 and 20, certain of the links of the chain 20 have fastened thereto pairs of spaced parallel plates 45 and 46 riveted to their upper and lower elements. The plates 45 and 46 have sockets in their overhanging portions to provide U-shaped pockets 48 for receiving the cores or bobbins b. Preferably, as shown more particularli in Fig. 9, a pair of retaining members in the form of U-shaped springs 49 are fastened to the upper and lower plates 45 and 46 with their projecting legs bent into loops at their ends for engaging around the bobbins b in the pockets 48 to releasably hold the bobbins therein. The ends of the forked portions of the upper plates 45 may be bent upwardly in prongs 50 which are adapted to engage in under the rounded lower surfaces of the heads h of the bobbins b to assist in preventing them from sliding out of the pockets 48; in some cases the springs 49 being dispensed with. The assemblies of socketed plates 45 and 46, hereinafter called holders 55 for the bobbins b, are spaced apart along the chain 20 with several links intervening therebetween and in advance of each holder 55 in a driver-plate 56, so-called. The driver-plates 56 serve to connect the chain with the selector mechanism adjacent the hopper H to actuate the device to feed bobbins to the holders when the latter are vacant due to delivery of their bobbins to any of the magazines at the winding units. The construction and arrangement of this part of the apparatus is shown in Figs. 18 to 21, inclusive, and described in detail hereinafter.

As previously stated, the cores or bobbins b are delivered from the hopper H and fed into the pockets 48 in the holders 55 to initially supply the conveyor 20 and to thereafter fill the empty pockets when vacancies occur therein. The hopper H may be of any preferred form and as herein shown it comprises a relatively large bin having an opening at the top facing toward its side and an inclined bottom wall terminating in a. concaved portion at its forward end in which the cores or bobbins I) gather as they slide down the inclined bottom of the hopper. Means are provided for agitating the cores b inside the hopper to cause them to be deposited on a travelin conveyor-belt 51 which runs over a series of pulleys, one of which 58 is driven from a motor 59 supported below the hopper. As these operating parts of the present apparatus are to be described in a continuing application for patent they are not set forth more in detail in the present specification. Suffice it to state that the cores or bobbin b are transferred to the upper end of the hopper H in a procession by the traveling belt 51 and there discharged into an inclined ramp-like raceway 6D. The raceway 60 may be comprised of two side plates arranged inparallel spaced relationship to adapt the shanks or barrels of the bobbins b to project downwardly between their inner faces with their enlarged heads h engaging across the edges of the plates to adapt them to slide downwardly therealong. The hopper H, raceway 60 and other cooperating parts may be supported from a raised framework constructed of angle-irons or timbers and comprising the inclined beams 6l which may also form a part of a scaffold or staging. The staging may have a platform reached by steps on a ramp to enable the cores or bobbins to be dumped into the hopper H by an attendant, but thi structure is not herein shown and described as it forms no part of the present invention.

The lower end of the raceway E0 is connected to a shorter raceway or chute 62 by means of clamps 63. The raceway 62 is supported from a standard on a bracket 65 carried by a pair of rods 66 rising from the creel framework and held in the bracket 3 I previously described as mounted on the rods or stanchions 30. As shown more particularly in Figs. 17, 18 and 19, the raceway 62 has its bottom wall 61 slotted at 68 to adapt the barrels of the bobbins b to project downwardly therethrough and its top is closed by a wall -69 to restrain the bobbins from jumpingupwardly therein. The cores or bobbins b are thus adapted to slide downwardly through the chute or raceway 62 into position adjacent the side of the conveyor-chain 20 to be transferred into the pockets of the holders 55 on the chain, see Fig. 1. Normally, the bobbins are restrained from sliding out from the open end of the chute 62 by means of a door or gate 10, see Figs. .18 and 19, which surmounts a slide ll supported to reciprocate horizontally above the base of the bracket 65. As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the gate 10 is constructed of sheet-metal having a depending portion normally projecting across the open mouth of the raceway 62 with its lateral portion cut away therebeyond toward the right to form an opening reaching to its supporting standard 12. Consequently, when the slide H is moved to the left as shown in Fig. 20 the depending closure portion of the gate 10 is carried beyond the lower open end of the raceway 62 to open it.

The slide H may be constructed of sheet-metal, being constituted as a feeder or pusher having a pointed prow l3 atits forward end adapted to be forced in between the two lowermost cores or bobbins b held at the end of the chute 62. As the depending portion of the gate 10 is carried toward the left to free the lowermost bobbin in the raceway 62 during the reciprocation of the slide Tl the forward inclined edge 14 of the pusher ll will act to plow the lowermost bobbin b out of the raceway and force it into the pocket 48 of a holder 55 on the chain 20 in the manner indicated in Fig. 20. Referring to this latter view and Fig. 19, a flat spring 15 fastened to the side of the raceway 62 extends at an inclination outwardly therefrom alongside the chain 20, its function being to act as a guard for contacting the sides of the bobbins b beneath their heads to insure that they are seated securely in the pockets 48 of the holders 55. This provides that if the bobbins I) fail to be forced into the pockets 48 sufiiciently to cause them to be grasped by the springs 49 they will be acted upon by the spring 15 to properly seat them in their holders 55. To insure against the jamming of the bobbins b in the end of the raceway 62, should they not be propenly seated inthe pockets 48 of-theholders 55; theleit hand side of :the raceway is constituted: by alyieldable membenlfi, see. Figs; l8.and 19, pivoted on a-.pin l8 and normally held in parallel :relation to the oppositeside of. the race.- .wayby a spring 19- coiled around its pivot-pin. .:;Theaslide or pusher 1.1 ismounted o'n.top' of .a postim beneatha cleat 81 screwed to the post and isiurther supported: by two; bearing elements ,82 and .83.:slidableyon a .horizontal'rod 84.1 The rod 84; isrsupported at. its. ends. in lugs 85 and: 8B rising from the base of the-bracket- 65. A buffer spring BIsurrounds the endof the rod 84rbetween the bearing 83 and the lug 86 to take the :thrust otthe slide '11 .when it is drawn rearwardly after its forward reciprocation for .feeding a bobbin b from the raceway fi2intora' holder 55 on thechain 20.. rThesslide or-.pusher .11 is. withdrawn .and normally. maintained inzitsirearwardposition by means: of ashelical springz88 :havin one .end hooked to'annear. 8.9. on the; slide and'itsoppositeend. anchored toman upright arm 9Bof an adjustable :element 91." The member 91 is .fastened to the base of the bracket 65 by means of apair of' screws 9.2-projecting through a slot- 93 in. its foot and byreleasing the screws themember may be adjusted one way or the other to regulate-the tension of the spring 88.

The slide or pusher '11 is :adapted: to be reciprocated toward the-left; as viewed. in .Figs; 18 andl9- through the operation of a slidable latch or bolt 95 carried therebyand engageable with a detent-shoulder 96. on any. one of: the driverplates 56-on the chain20. The latch or-bolt 95 isslidably mountedon the pusher or slide 11 in slotted. bearings 98 and 99rprojecting. upwardly therefrom. A helical spring 100 anchored to a cotter-pin 101 held in. thebearing 98 isfastened atityopposite end to 'ascotter-pin H12=held in a pin'or stud 103 rising from the latch .95, the spring thus tending to normally slide. the latch forwardly to engage its- .end with" the detentsh'oulder Mon 21; driver-plate 56. The latch'or bolti95 is normally restrained from forwardsliding motion by means of a-pawl-l having its pointed :toe 105, see :Fig; .18; engaged in a notch in-=the side. of therlatch. The :pawl 105. is pivoted on a pin 108 .on the slide H and is' influenced to engagesits-toe 10.6 with thenotch- 101 in. the latch SSV-by'means of a springilyOS *coiled around the pin 108 with one end hooked around the. edge of. the bearing. 98 :anditsopposite end bearing against thelouterend of the pawl.

- .The means for'disengaging the pawl-165' from the latch 95 to cause .the latter to be: carried into position for engagement withv the detent-shoulder .95 on one ofthe driver-plates 55 comprises a control l'everor-ieeler .110. The 'feeler '1 10 is pivoted on a :stud 1 11- screwed'i-nto .apost I12 surmounting the base of the bracket: 65. A spring H3 coiled around the postwithone end "I H: bent down overzthenedge of the. base of the bracket 65, as shown in Figs: 1,8 =and',19:, with-its opposite end extended .in-an arm I I5. hooked around over-the edge of-the'lever tends to rock the lever 110 in contraclookwisewdirection as viewed in'Fig. 18.=-.-At the-forwardend of--the main arm of the lever-1 1'0 is-anwupwardly-bent portion 116 inclinedat'an angle. tmadapt it to act as'a. cam for releasing-the pawl 105; For this purpose the pawl 105 has a: laterally-extending finger H'I overlying the latch 95 and terminating in a rounded edge with which: the inclined camportion 1 16 of the'levenl 10 engages. The lever 2110 is .formed witha forwardly projecting elbowshaped -arm- 118 comprising a tapered extension INT-positioned in alinement with the path of the chain 20 inits lateral course across the front of theihopperI-I. The lever is' supported on a second post 121 and held from vertical-play; by means of a screw 122 passing through a slot 123 in the main arm of the lever and screwed into the post; The slot 123 serves to limit the'forward-movement of the lever 1 10 under thetension of the spring 113.

nThe feeder or pusher H is disconnected .from the conveyor-chain 20 after it has been operated to-feed a bobbin into one of the holders 55 by releasing the latch-or bolt 95' from the'driverplate 58 through the operation of mechanism next described. Depending'from the under side of the latch or bolt 95 is a pin' 125 slidable. in a slot .126 in the slide or pusher 11.' Referring to Figs; 20 and 21, the pin 125 is adapted to engage the inclined edge 12! of a cam 128 fastened to the top of a support.- 129. rising 'from ther-base" of-uthe bracket 65: and underlying the pusher 11.2:As the-pusher H. approaches. the end of its forward movement to force ascore or'bobbin binto a holder. 55 on the chain 20. the'pin 125:.will ride up thezcam-edge .121 towithdraw the end of the latchv 95' fron'r'the detent-shoulder 96 .on' the driver-plate 55 as indicated in Figs. 20. and 21. As-soon as this release of the latch occurs-the spring 88 (will act to draw. the slide 11 rearwardly, it beingnotedthat above the shoulderl 96':the driver-plate 56 is inclined or beveled at 9-!- so as to clear the end of the .latch as the latter is withdrawn. After the latch or bolt- 95. has been withdrawn sufficiently to :release its forward edge from the. detent shoulder 96.011 the driver-plate 56 the retraction of the pusher H by the spring 83 willscarrythe pin 12501113116 latch into engagement with a pawl-like lever: i130 pivoted on the support 1129. The lever 130 is pivoted on a stud? 13:1 and biasedinto :position with =its'end engaging astop pin: .132 by: meansof aspiring 135. The'spring is coiled around a screw 136 with .the.end of itslshort' arm bent down around theside of the support'129 and its oppositerlongeriarm; engaging the end of the-lever 30. Referring to Fig. 21,. as" the slide H is retracted thepin 1.25will.engageandride along the side of the .leverI- 13G until itzreaches-the limit of its movement as represented by dash-lines in Fig. 21.; it being noted that thelever 130'hasagreater portion of its length projecting upwardly from its pivoted-end in .a portion131 which is beveled-off on the side atii 3 8 so that the pin 125 can ride-off therefrom after: thep'ushr' H hasbeen returned to first position shown in Fig. l8.' The pin 125 beingshown'by dottedlines at the right in Fig. 21 as it rides on from thelever 130; the pawl 105 being engaged with the notch 10'! in the side of thellatch' 95 at this juncture to restrain it from sliding forward again. The latch on bolt- 95 is thus prevented. from further action until the 'feeler lever I ID has once again been carried forward; see dash lines in Fig. 21; bythe absence of abobbi-n or core bin any one of the holders 55 whereby to. cause it to release the pawl |05.- To insure that the. cores orbobbins I) carriedin the holders: 55' will properly engage the projecting armi'l20'of the lever "-I 10- to normally preventits action;means-preferably are provided for re-- straining.the-conveyorechain 20 from being di- 'verted in i-ts'cozurse during its lateral travel across the'front of theihopper H. Forthispurpose I may provide :a guard ortrack I 441-588 Fig.11-7, on

whichtherollers-l-fi on the pins connecting the links of the chain 20 ride. The rollers I45 riding on the track I44 serve to resist any tendency of the lever III) to force the cores or bobbins I) carried in the holders 55 out of their straight course with the chain 20.

The method of operation of the bobbin-feeding means is explained more in detail hereinafter in connection with the explanation of the functioning of the complete apparatus.

The cores or bobbins b are delivered from the conveyor-chain 20 to the magazines 2 of the winding units upon depletion of the supply therein by the means next described. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, each magazine 2 is provided with a chute-like casing I50 fastened to the top of the outer slotted upright 6 and reaching upwardly to a point adjacent the conveyor-chain 20; each such chute being constructed of sheetmetal with a front wall II and Parallel side walls I52 folded inwardly therefrom. Each chute I50 is supported near its upper end by a U-shaped bracket I54, see Figs. 1 and 2, fastened to the end of an arm or bracket I55 secured to a horizontal rod I51 extending the length of the gang machine as a part of the creel framework. Pivotally mounted to swing between the sides of the chute I50 is a balanced lever I60 which normally reaches down into the slotted upright 5 of the magazine 2 to constitute the rearward wall of the chute. The lever I60 further functions as a detector to indicate the absence of a suflicient supply of cores or bobbins b in the magazine.

The detector-lever I60 is preferably formed of sheet-metal with relatively narrow flanges folded forwardly from its sides and a pair of arms I6I reaching forwardly with pins I62 at their ends engaging in slotted bearings I63 in the ends of the arms of the sheet-metal bracket I54. The pivots I 62 for the detector-lever I60 are so located as to balance the lever to cause it to swing outwardly into the position shown in Fig. 3 upon release of its lower end from the bobbins in the magazine 2, thereby cooperating with the part I50 to form a closed chute down which the cores or bobbins b may slide upon their delivery from the conveyor-chain 20. With the form of construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, the upper end of the detector-lever I60 is weighted by a thicker strip I64 of metal screwed or riveted thereto and carrying certain instrumentalities adapted to engage a core or bobbin 1) carried by a holder 55 on the conveyor-chain to discharge it therefrom into the chute for delivery into the related magazine 2. The bobbindelivering means shown in Figs. 3 to 8 is constructed and arranged as next described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 to 8, inclusive, at the upper end of the detector-lever I60 is a triangularly-shaped cam-plate I65 which projects laterally therefrom. The inner straight edge of the cam-plate I65 normally is clear of the bobbins b as they pass thereby when the lever I60 is in the relationship shown in Fig. 2 by the presence of a predetermined number of bobbins in the magazine 2, see also Fig. 5. After a bobbin has been discharged from the magazine 2 to supply the winding spindle, with only two bobbins remaining therein as shown in Fig. 3, the lower end of the lever I60 will be released so that it can swing outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3. However, such swinging motion is prevented in certain circumstances by means of a detent-lever I66 which is pivoted to the camplate I65 and normally held with its end engaging the upwardly-looped side of the track I'5 on which the conveyor-chain. travels, see Figs. 4 and 5. The lever I66 is pivoted on the top. of the cam-plate I65 by means of a pin or stud I61 and is of elbow-shape having a short arm I68 carrying a pin or stud I69 engaging through an arcuate slot I10 in the cam-plate I65. When the detent-lever I66 is in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the upper end of the detector-lever I60 is prevented from swinging toward the right and consequently the cam-plate I65 is maintained out of range of the cores or bobbins b traveling with the chain 20. The purpose of this particular construction is to prevent the lever I60 from being activated at a point where it would interfere with the travel of the cores or bobbins b, but as one bobbin passes clear of the camplate I65, see Fig. 6, it will engage with the lever I66 to turn it into the position shown in Fig. 8, thereby permitting the detector-lever I60 to piv t and swing to the position shown in Fig. 3. The lever I60 thus will be activated for releasing the next bobbin b from its holder 55 on the chain 20 to cause it to be delivered down through the closed chute I and into the magazine 2.

The swinging motion of the detector-lever I60 may be relatively slow or sluggish, due to its considerable length and the effects of inertia and atmospheric pressure, and therefore it is desirable that the upper end of the lever be released immediately after the passage thereby of one bobbin 1) so that the cam-plate I65 will assume its operative position in time to act on the next approaching bobbin in the series. As the next bobbin approaches the cam-plate I65 the latter will have been moved to the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8 by the swinging of the lever I60. Consequently, the next bobbin in the series will be engaged by the inclined edge of the cam-plate I65 in the manner shown in Fig. 8, the edge of the cam-plate having a slight depression or concavity in its edge which tends to enclose the barrel of the bobbin b. Thereafter the movement of the bobbin with the conveyor-chain 20 will cause it to ride forward along the remainder of the inclined edge of the cam-plate I65 to finally force it out of the pocket 48 in the holder and discharge it therefrom into the position indicated by dash-lines in Fig. 3. The bobbin thus released from the conveyor-chain 20 will drop by gravity to cause it to slide down the incline of the lever I in the manner indicated by full lines in Fig. 3, and as it reaches the lower end of the lever it will tilt the latter rearwardly to carry it back into its initial position shown in Fig. 2. As the newly supplied bobbin b slides down the lever I60 its forward pointed end will seat in the slotted member 6 of the magazine 2 while its rearward heavier end will drop down into the slotted upright 5 of the magazine to rest on the bobbins already contained therein. The head h of this newly supplied bobbin b will remain in contact with the lever I60 to retain the latter in inoperative position until one or more of the underlying bobbins have been transferred from the magazine 2 to supply the spindle 3 of the winding unit. Through this means an adequate supply of bobbins is maintained at all times in the magazine 2. As the lever I66 returns to its normal position shown in Fig. 2 the detent-lever I66 is swung back into operative position under the effect of gravity or, if desired, a suitable spring, not herein shown, may be provided for this purpose to cause the lever to hold the cam-plate I until one of the bobbins on the chain 20 has passed thereby .to set it foroperation on the :next;succeeding bobbin'in thelseries:v

Figs: 10 .110 I of the. present drawings-illus- .trate'ata modified storm: of constructionrof -:the meansazfior dischargingithezbobbinslfiromihe conveyorechain' 2D to deliver them5through-therchute into; the: magazine :2. :This zparticulariiforimiof constructionof 'theimechanismz is adapted particularly; for use .withmachines in which rthe 021- v'eyor chaincmust be elevated-to agrea-ter height above the winding-units due to certazirrrequirementsgusuch: as :thenprovision of morerspace in the creel; In thisl'latteruformtof theimechanism the'slottednpright 510i thetmagazine z -inayhave an :extension. ':I'1 4s proj ecting'. some: distance thereabovesand the.:detector-lever I 15; may. be of greater length tharrthat previously described with its lower-end'reaching downbetween theisides of the extension-"I143- Thechuteemember 111 may. .be of substantially the samefOlIIli .andtdimensinns as previously -described',-=:liutr thGLbOhbilP-TdiSChfilQr ingmeans "is of an alternative form; of constrtrctionir Since theidetectorelever. :Ii15 considerably longer thantthat previously described; "it. may be subject to swaying or vibration andrtherefone additional counterbalancing and detention means are applied thereto in accordance with the following description. The lever I15 is pivoted on the bracket I54, previously referred to, by means of 'a pair of forwardly-extending arms "I18 and fastened to one of these arms is an upright arm I19 to which is connected a counterweight I89 through means of a wire link I8I. The weight I80 may be of cylindrical form with a forwardlyprojecting smaller cylindrical extension I82 which, when the lever I15 is inactive, is adapted to rest 'on t-he top of ablock I85 fastened at I36 to therearward portion of the bifurcated bracket I54. The. rearward corner of the block I85 is beveled off at I81 and the forward edge of the cylindrical projection L82 of .the weight I8fi is also rounded or beveled to adapt it to engage the beveled face I81 on the block I35 and slide upwardly thereacross to rest on the top of the block as shown in Fig; 11.- 'In this normalposition of the lever I15 the weight I89 acts to counterbalance. and restrain the lever from excessive movemen-t. -When the detector-lever'swings outwardly to the'position shown in Fig. 10 the weight 586 acts'as a detent to resist movement of the lever I until the discharged bobbin 1) has slid'down to its lower end to restore it to first position. During this last movement of the detector-lever I15, the forward projection M22011 the weight I86 willzride up on the top of the block I85 to steady it in its normal position.

In this last-described form of construction of the mechanism the cletent-means for initially retaining the detector-lever I 15 in its inactive position'after its release from the bobbins in the magazine 2 is also somewhat modified from that previously described. Fastened to the upper end of the-chute I11 is a bearing-block I99, shown enlarged in Fig. 16 which is a view looking in the-opposite direction from that of Fig. 10. The bearing-block I9!) is slotted at I9I to straddle the. side flange of the chute I11 to which it is riveted at I92. The block I95 is also slotted at I93 to receive an upright lever I94 having an offset finger I95 at its upper end adapted to contact with the bobbins b as they travel with the-oonveyor-ohain 26, see Fig. 13. The contactlever I94 is pivoted on a crosspin I96 and has a forked lower end engaging one arm I91 of a detent-latch158. The 'detent-latch I98 is pivotally mounted within a slot I99 in the block 190 on .a vertical pin 2 to adaptit to engage across theedge of the'detector-lever I15 to initially restrain the latter from swinging outwardly'at its lower end. A bow-shaped springlfli in the slot I 93 of the blockd 9D,.s'ee .Fig; 16,1bearszagaihst thelower. end .of theflleverASd: to normallyzmaintainit in position :to be engaged bythe Ibobbins as they travel with the"conveyorechain ZO.

In "this".last described'. 'forin of construction the icam-plate 2D 5. :is of substantially the same triangular shape as the-cam-plate I65, previously described, exceptthat it is bent-or bowadnpwardly throughoutthe' greater portion-.01 its width. as shown more :particularly' in F-igY -IO. As the bobbins b in theholders 5'5 o'nthe conveyorschain' 2t travel past the various deliver-y chutes I11 they will wipe across the contact arm I95 of each. lever IM to rock-thelatter-'from-one :position shown in Fig; 12 to that illu'strateddn passing through the 1 chute its 4 upper edge will slide across'the rounded nose'oi thelatch ;I 98, see Figs. 13 and 15,'to swing the latch-and-rook the lever I94 against the action of its*spring 20L I The izdet'ector-lever 15' will thus pass by :the latch l98 to causethe'latter to retain it in its normal' position shown-"in Figs. '11 and "12 until its lower end has again been released' 'and a bobbin b wiping across the arm I95 of the contact-lever i94' has swung'the latter to release-the latch.

Th'ecomplete apparatus operates in the ,manner next explainedz A supply of bobbins b maybe placed in the hopper I-I by any convenient means, for example, through-the -use"of an-elevator, escalator, -or dumped through-a chute; opening from the-floorabove. -It has been stated that the bobbins gravitate to-the 'forward'concaved bottom of the hopper H and" are agitated there'- in to cause them to ride onto' the ':traveling conveyor-belt 51, by which they are transported to the'oppositeend of the hopper and delivered into the inclined raceway 60,868. Fig; .17.."The bobbins slide down the raceWayBO and into the chute or raceway 62 where they. may collect. in

series as indicated more-particularly in Fig. 1'.

At the initial operation of the machine the :holders 55 on the conveyor-chain 2B are filled with bobbinsb by the repeated-action'of the'pusher H in the manner'previously explained, it be ing understood that unti-lall the holders 55 are filled the feeler-lever IIO will'be released to the position indicated-by-the dash-lines in Fig; 121 to cause continuous reciprocationof the slide or pusher 1|. The bobbins are thus fed continuously into the holders'55 and in themeantime certain bobbins may be discharged from the cone veyor and delivered into the magazines 2' for the several units ofthe'winding ma'chine.. As thejmagazines Z a'refillied by the'delivery-of the bobbins from the conveyor-chain 20 the holders 55 onthechain 29will be re-supplied with fresh bobbins through the continuous operation "of the feeding .mechanism embodying the slida'ble pusher 1I :During the operation of the-windmg units as the'wound bobbins are doffed therefrom, fresh empty bobbins will be transferred to the winding spindles from the magazines 2 and when the supply of bobbins in each magazine is depleted new bobbins will be delivered thereto from the chain 20 as required to replenish their supply. As the method of discharging the bobbins from the holders 55 on the conveyor-chain 20 and delivering them to the magazines 2 has been described quite fully in connection with the detailed explanation of the means employed for this purpose, it is considered unnecessary to enlarge the description herein. Suffice it to state that as the supply of bobbins in each magazine 2 is depleted to a predetermined extent, for example, down to two remaining bobbins, the detector-lever ISO in the first described form of construction, or I15 in the second form, is released. Thereupon, the release of the detentmeans comprising the lever I66 in the first-described form, or the latch I98 in the second form, by the travel of a bobbin along its contact arm will execute the release of the detector-lever I60 or I15 to cause its upper end to swing into active position. The cam-plate I65 or 205, as the case may be, will then engage the next succeeding bobbin in the series on the chain to eject it from its holder 55 to discharge it into the chute I50 or IT! and deliver it to the magazine 2.

It has been expained that the pin I on the under side of the latch 95 engages with one side of the lever I to hold the latch disengaged from the driver-plate 56 during the retraction of the pusher 'II after its forward stroke. The pin I25 will eventually ride off from the upstanding flange on the lever I30 so that it will be released from the latter, and prior to this release the pawl I05 will be engaged with the notch I01 in the latch 95 to restrain the latter from forward movement until another vacancy in the holders releases the lever III'I to cause it to disengage the pawl from the latch. When the pusher II is carried forward through the engagement of the latch 95 with one of the driver-plates 56 on the conveyor-chain 20 the pin I25 on the under side of the latch will pass on the opposite side of the lever I30 from that traversed during its travel in the reverse direction. The pin I25 will slide along this side of the lever I30 and rock it slightly against the action of its spring I35, see dash-lines in Fig. 21, eventually coming into engagement with the edge I21 of the cam I28. After the pin I25 has moved beyond the end of the lever I30 and the latch 95 has been withdrawn from the shoulder on the driver-plate 56 by the action of the cam I20, as indicated in Fig. 21, the pin I25 will be in position to again ride across the opposite side of the lever I30 to retain the latch disengaged from the chain 20 until the pawl I05 has once more engaged its notch to restrain it from forward movement.

It will be observed by reference to the foregoing specification that the present invention provides a highly automatic apparatus for supplying bare cores or empty bobbins to a winding machine or the like embodying a plurality of units. The device operates Without manual control or human effort, it being only necessary to fill the hopper with a plentiful supply of cores or bobbins which are fed continuously therefrom to the conveyor, and from which they are discharged and delivered into the magazines of the several winding units required by depletion of the supply of bobbins therein. Ma-

chines embodying bobbin-donning and -dofiing means are therefore rendered capable of operating continuously without attention on the part of an operator except in some instances to piece up broken ends on rare occasions. The present apparatus is applicable to various types of winding machines wherein a plurality of stationary units are arranged in series; or it may be adapted for supplying cores to a plurality of winding units traveling in a procession relatively to the supplying means.

While the apparatus is herein shown and described as embodied in a preferred form of construction with certain slight modifications in its mechanical details, it is to be understood that further changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a Winding machine comprising a plurality of individual winding units, a bobbin-supplying mechanism including a conveyor for delivering empty bobbins to the several winding units for winding yarn thereon, means for effecting relative movement between the conveyor and the winding units, a magazine at each winding unit for holding a plurality of empty reserve bobbins, detector means permanently located at each winding unit and extending from the conveyor into the respective magazine for engagement with the bobbins therein, said detector means being releasable from the bobbins upon depletion of the supply of reserve bobbins, and means operative by said detector means upon the release thereof for delivering bobbins from the conveyor to the magazines.

2. In a winding machine comprising a plurality of winding units each having a magazine for holding a plurality of empty reserve bobbins, a conveyor for delivering the bobbins to the magazines of the several units, means for effecting relative movement between the conveyor and the winding units, detector means permanently located at each winding unit and reaching from the conveyor into the respective magazine for engagement with the bobbins therein, said detector means being releasable from said engagement upon depletion of the supply of reserve bobbins in the magazine, and

means operated by said detector means upon its release for delivering bobbins from the conveyor to the magazines as required to maintain a supply therein.

3. In a winding machine comprising a plurality of winding units, a magazine at each winding unit for containing a supply of empty reserve bobbins. a conveyor movable relatively thereto, detector means permanently located adjacent each winding unit and suspended above each magazine and. reaching thereinto to engage with the bobbins therein, said detector means being releasable by depletion of the supply of reserve bobbins in the magazine, and means operated by said detector means upon its release for delivering bobbins from the conveyor to the magazines as required to maintain a supply of empty bobbins therein.

4. In a winding machinecomprising a plurality of winding units, a magazine at each winding unit for containing a supply of empty reserve bobbins, a conveyor for holding empty bobbins, means for effecting relative movement between the conveyor and the winding units, a chute at each winding unit opening adjacent the. conveyor a-ndleading, into the-magazinaand detectonmeans permanently located at each magazineand engageable-with the-bobbins therein;; said detector means being releasable upon depletion of the supply of empty reserve bobbins in the magazine to discharge a bobbin from the conveyor to cause itv to'slide down the chute, into the magazine.-

5. A winding machine comprising a plurality of winding units each having means for donning empty bobbinsin position; for winding including a magazine, bobbin-supplying mechanism-including means for conveying bobbins to the winding units, means for effecting relative travel between the conveying means and the winding. units, detector means permanently located-atqeach magazine'and engageable with the bobbins therein, said detector means being releasable by depletion of the supply of empty bobbins in the magazines, and means operative by-said'detector means upon its release for deliveringbobbins from the conveying means to the magazines as required to maintain a supply of reserve bobbins therein.

6. In a winding machine comprising a plurality-of winding units and means for donning empty bobbins at the winding units including a magazine for each unit, detector means permanently located at each magazine, said detector. means being normallyheld inoperative by engagement with'the bobbins in the magazines and releasable therefrom upon depletion of the supply therein, bobbin-supplying means for releasably holding a plurality of empty bobbins, and means operative by the detector means upon its release from the bobbins by depletion of the supply ofempty reserve bobbins-in any of the magazines to deliver bobbins thereto from the bobbin-supplying means to maintain a supply of reserve bobbins therein.

7. In a winding machine comprising a pluralityof winding units each having a magazine for holding a supply of empty reserve bobbins, a conveyor for holding a supply of empty bobbins,,-means for operating the-conveyor to travel the-bobbins relatively of the magazines, detectormeans permanently located at each magazineand engageable with the bobbins for indicating depletion of the supply of reserve bobbins therein, said detector means being releasable from the bobbins for movement thereafter, and. means operative by said movement of the detector means to release the empty bobbins from the conveyor and deliver them to the'magazines as required to maintain a supply :of empty bobbins therein.

8. In a winding machine comprising means for donning an empty bobbin and winding yarn thereoma magazine for holding a supply of empty' reserve bobbins, means for transferring a bobbin-from the magazine to the winding means;.a detector permanently located at the magazine and'normally maintained in inoperative position by engagement with the bobbins in the'magazine and releasable from the bobbins upon depletion of the supply therein, means for conveying empty bobbins to the magazine, and means operative by said detector when it is disengaged from the bobbins to release a bobbin fromtheconveying means to deliver it to the magazine to renew the supply therein.

9. In a winding machine comprising means for holding empty bobbins and winding yarn thereon, a magazine for containing a supply of reseltYe bohbinsjfor delivery to theholding means of the winding machine, bobbin-supplying means-for holding a pluralityof empty bobbins, meansfor reflecting relative movement between the bobbin-supplying means and the :winding means, and a detector permanently located. at the magazine and normally held inoperative-by engagement with the bobbins when a predetermined -number of empty bobbins are present in the magazine said detector being releasable upon depletion of the supply of bobbinsi-nthe magazine, and meansoperative by said detector upon its "release to discharge a bobbin from the bobbin-supplying .meansto deliver it to the. magazine.-

10. Ma winding machine comprising a plurality of winding units for mounting empty bobbins-and winding yarn thereon, a magazine at each winding unit for containing a supply of empty reserve bobbins-for transfer to the mounting means, a conveyor carrying holders forempty bobbins, means for traveling the conveyor in a closed course relatively to the several winding ,units, a detectorv permanentlylocated at each magazine and normally restrained from operation by engagement with the reserve bobbins" therein, and means operative by saiddetector upon its release by' the bobbins in the magazine to deliver bobbins from the conveyor to the magazines as required by the depletion of the, supply therein.

11. In a machine for winding yarn on bare cores, the combination of a magazine for holding a reserve supply of cores, a traveling conveyor for carrying cores to the magazine, said conveyor embodying means for gripping the cores to convey them thereby, a pendant lever having one end normally positioned in the magazine for engagement by the cores and its opposite endadjacent the conveyor, and means carried by said lever for discharging cores from the conveyor to deliver them to the magazine when said leveris released by depletion of the supply of cores in the magazine.

12. In a winding machine for winding yarn on bare cores, a magazine for holding a reserve supply of cores, a conveyor having pockets for individually containing a plurality of cores, means for traveling the conveyor to transport the cores to the magazine, a lever pivoted above the magazine with its lower end adapted to be-engaged by the cores contained therein, and means carried by the-upper end of the lever for engaging a core and discharging it from the pocket in the conveyor to deliver it to the magazine when said lever is released by depletion of the supply of cores in the magazine.

13:'In a machine for winding yarn on bare cores or empty bobbins, the combination of a magazine for containing a reserve supply of cores; a conveyor having means for transporting a plurality of cores, means for traveling the conveyor, a pendant leverarranged with its lower end in the magazine to adapt it to be restrained from movement by the cores therein, a cam at the upper end of the lever, detent means for initially restraining the lever from movement when its lower end is released by depletion of the supply of cores in the magazine, said detent means being releasable by the travel of one of the cores on the'conveyor to cause the lever to release a succeeding'core therefrom to deliver it to the magazine.

14.'In a machine for winding yarn on bare cores or bobbins, the combination of a magazine for containing areserve supply of cores, a travelmg conveyor for transporting the cores relative to the magazine, detector-means normally held inactive by a supply of cores in the magazine, detent means for initially restraining said detector-means from action when first released by depletion of the supply of cores in the magazine, said detent means being released by the passage thereby of a bobbin moving with the conveyor, and means operative by said detector-means upon release by the detent means to discharge the next succeeding bobbin from the conveyor to deliver it to the magazine.

15. In a machine for winding yarn on bare cores or bobbins, the combination of a magazine for containing a reserve supply of bobbins, a traveling conveyor for transporting bobbins relatively to the magazine, a detector normally held inactive by a supply of bobbins in the magazine, means operative by said detector to discharge a bobbin from the conveyor to deliver it to the magazine, and detent means for initially restraining the detector from action after it is released by depletion of the supply of bobbins in the magazine, said detent means being releasable by the passage thereby of a bobbin traveling with the conveyor to cause the detector to act on the next succeeding bobbin traveling with the conveyor.

16. In a machine for winding yarn on bare cores, a magazine for containing a reserve supply of cores, a traveling conveyor for transporting cores to the magazine, a lever pivoted above the magazine with its lower end engageable by the bobbins therein, and cam means at the upper end of the lever for engaging a core to discharge it from the conveyor when the lower end of the lever is released by depletion of the supply of cores in the magazine, said lever acting as a support for the core to adapt it to slide downwardly thereon to enter the magazine and return the lever to inoperative position.

17. In a machine for winding yarn on empty bobbins, the combination of a magazine for containing a supply of reserve bobbins, a traveling conveyor having pockets for receiving the bobbins to transport them to the magazine, a chute leading from the conveyor into the magazine, a lever pivoted above the magazine with its lower end engageable by the bobbins in the magazine to restrain it from action, and cam means at the upper end of the lever adapted to engage a bobbin carried by the conveyor to discharge it from its pocket and cause it to slide down the chute into the magazine, said lever being balanced to cause the weight of the bobbin to return it to initial position and restrain it from further action as the bobbin enters the magazine.

18. In a machine for winding yarn on empty bobbins, the combination of a magazine adapted to hold a plurality of bobbins one above another to form a reserve supply, a traveling conveyor for transporting bobbins relatively to the magazine, an inclined chute having its open top adjacent the conveyor and its lower end adjacent the magazine, a lever pivoted above the magazine with its longer arm extended downwardly into the magazine for engagement by the bobbins held therein and its shorter arm projecting alongside the open upper end of the chute, and means operative by said lever to discharge a bobbin from the conveyor to cause it to enter the chute to slide downwardly into the magazine.

19. In a machine for winding yarn on bare cores, the combination therewith of a magazine for holding a reserve supply of cores, a traveling 18 conveyor for carrying cores to the magazine, a; detector normally held inactive by a supply of cores in the magazine, means operative by said detector to discharge a core from the conveyor to deliver it to the magazine when the supply therein becomes depleted, a detent-lever for initially preventing action of the detector when first released by depletion of the supply of cores in the magazine, said detent-lever being releasable by the passage of a core traveling with the magazine to cause action of the detector on the next following core, and means to return the detent lever to position to restrain the detector from action after the latter has discharged 9. core from the conveyor.

20. A bobbin-supplying device for winding machines comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of empty bobbins, a conveyor travelable in a closed course adjacent said hopper and provided with pockets for receiving bobbins therefrom, means for feeding the bobbins in series from said hopper, a raceway for delivering the bobbins from the hopper to the conveyor, a feeler for indicating absence of the bobbins in the pockets of the conveyor, and means operative by the feeler to force a bobbin out of the raceway and into an empty pocket on the conveyor.

21. A bobbin-supplying device for winding and like machines comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of empty bobbins, a conveyor travelable in a closed course adjacent the hopper, said conveyor provided with pockets for holding the empty bobbins, a raceway leading from the hopper, means for feeding the bobbins from the hopper through the raceway comprising a reciprocable element for engaging a bobbin and transferring it into a pocket on the conveyor, a feeler for indicating the absence of bobbins in any of the pockets of the conveyor, and means operated by said feeler to reciprocate the feeding means.

22. In a bobbin-supplying device for winding and like machines, a hopper for containing a plurality of empty bobbins, a raceway leading from the hopper, a conveyor-chain having pockets for releasably holding the bobbins, means'for traveling the conveyor-chain in a closed course.

adjacent the end of the raceway, means for feeding the bobbins in series from the hopper through the raceway, a pusher adapted to engage the endmost bobbin in a series fed from the hopper into the raceway to project it into a pocket on the conveyor-chain, and means operative by the traveling motion of the chain to actuate the pusher to supply bobbins to the empty pockets on the conveyor.

23. A bobbin-supplying device for winding and like machines comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of empty bobbins, a conveyor carrying pockets for a plurality of bobbins, means for traveling the conveyor in a closed course adjacent the hopper, a raceway for feeding bobbins in a series from the hopper, a pusherreciprocable to engage the endmost bobbin in a series to transfer it from the raceway into a vacant pocket on the conveyor, means to reciprocate said pusher,-

the bobbins from the hopper into the raceway, a gate for closing the end of the raceway adjacent the conveyor;means for opening the gate to feed a bobbin from the raceway into a holder on the conveyor, and means operative by the absence of a bobbin in any of the holders to open the gate and transfer a bobbin from the raceway into the vacant holder.

25. In a bobbin-supplying mechanism for winding and like machines, a hopper for containing a supply of bobbins, a raceway for feeding the bobbins from the hopper, a conveyor having pockets forcontaining the bobbins, means for traveling the conveyor in a closed course past the end of the raceway, a gate for closing the end of the raceway, a positively acting pusher for sliding the. bobbins out of the raceway and into the pockets on the conveyor, and means operative to open the gate and actuate the pusher as an empty pocket registers with the end of the raceway.

26. In a bobbin-supplying mechanism for winding and like machines, a hopper for containing bobbins, a raceway for feeding the bobbins from the hopper, a conveyor traveling in a closed course adjacent the end of the raceway and having pockets for receiving the bobbins therefrom, a pusher for positively ejecting the bobbins singly from the. raceway to enter them in the pockets on the conveyor, a slide for operating th pusher, and means for connecting the slide with the conveyor to cause it to actuate the pusher when a vacancy occurs in any of the pockets.

2'7. In a bobbin-supplying mechanism for winding and like machines, a hopper for containing bobbins, a raceway for feeding the bobbins from the hopper, a conveyor having pockets for receiving bobbins fed from the raceway, means for traveling the conveyor past the end of the raceway, a reciprocable pusher for forcing the bobbins out of the raceway and into the pockets, a feeler normally engaged by bobbins held in pockets on the conveyor, and means operative upon release of the feeler due to absence of a bobbin in a pocket on the conveyor to actuate the pusher to force a bobbin out of the raceway and into the empty pocket on the conveyor.

28. In a bobbin-supplying mechanism for winding and like machines, a hopper for containing bobbins, a raceway for feeding the bobbins from the hopper, a conveyor carrying pockets for receiving the bobbins from the raceway, means for traveling the conveyor with respect to the raceway, a reciprocable'pusher for forcing the bobbins out of the raceway and into empty pockets on the conveyor, a feeler normallyrestrained from action by bobbins in the pockets of the conveyor, and means operative by release of the feeler upon the occurrence of a vacancy in the pockets on the conveyor to connect the conveyor to actuate the pusher.

29. In a device for supplying bobbins to winding and like machines, a hopper for containing bobbins, a raceway for feeding the bobbins in series from the hopper, a conveyor carrying pockets for receiving the bobbins from the raceway, means for traveling the conveyor, 8. pusher for engaging a bobbin in the raceway to force it therefrom into a pocket on the conveyor, a latch for connecting the pusher for movement by the conveyor, and a feeler normally held inoperative by bobbins in the pockets on the conveyor and releasable on occurrence of an empty pocket to actuate the latch to cause movement of the pusher to eject a bobbin from the raceway into an empty pocket on the conveyor.

30. In a machine for winding yarn on bare cores or bobbins, the combination of a magazine for containing a reserve supply of cores, a traveling conveyor for transporting the cores to the magazine, holders on the conveyor for individually receiving the bobbins, means at the magazine for releasing the bobbins individually from the holders on the conveyor, and means operative by the movement of a bobbin past said releasing means to cause it to act to discharge the next succeeding bobbin from the conveyor to deliver it to the magazine.

31. In a 'machine comprising a plurality of units for winding yarn on bare cores or bobbins, the combination of a chute located adjacent each winding unit for feeding bobbins thereto, a traveling conveyor having holders for transporting the bobbins to the several chutes, means for releasing the bobbins individually from the holders at the chutes, and means operative by a bobbin passing the releasing means to cause the latter to act to release the next succeeding bobbin carried by the conveyor to deliver it to the chute.

32. In a machine comprising a plurality of winding units, a chute at each winding unit for feeding the bobbins thereto, a conveyor having pockets for individually holding the bobbins, means for traveling the conveyor to transport the bobbins to the several chutes at the winding units, means for discharging the bobbins individually from the pockets on the conveyor, detentmeans for normally preventing operation of the bobbin-discharging means, and means operative by the passage of a bobbin past the detent means to release it from the discharging means and cause the latter to deliver the next succeeding bobbin into the chute.

' JOHN A. MOLLOY.

REFERENCES CITED. The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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